Aligarh: Governor of Haryana, Dr. A.R. Kidwai inaugurated the M.P. Varshney High Voltage Laboratory and ICT facilities at the Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) here.

Dr. M.P. Varshney, an alumnus of AMU during 1942-46, graciously donated rupees ten lakhs for the extension of the High Voltage Laboratory, named after him.

Addressing a function at the Electrical Engineering Department, Professor A.R. Kidwai said that AMU is a cradle for the academic development and he spent his best years of his life at AMU as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry.

He pointed out that the faculty members played an important role to create an academic atmosphere.

Prof. Kidwai appreciated the efforts of the present Vice Chancellor Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis in the academic rejuvenation of this great seat of learning.

He said that the establishment of ICT facility is the need of the hour.

"The AMU Alumni is one of the great assets to this institution. The World Summit of AMU Alumni would provide a platform for a memorable re-union and to maintain links and to mobilize and support to their Alma matter", Kidwai added.

Earlier, AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor P.K. Abdul Azis said, "The University has taken the enhancement of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) activities, as its top priority."

He said that the University has made significant progress in providing ICT facilities to all staff and students. Prof. Azis said that the Engineering College has been provided 700 computers with high speed internet connectivity which are being used by the staff as well as students in various Departments of the College.

Prof. M.P. Varshney said that he had the privilege to being taught by the then Vice Chancellor Dr. Sir Ziauddin. On the other hand, the only Engineer Vice Chancellor Professor M. Naseem Farooqui was his student at IIT, Kharagpur.

He thanked the University authorities for naming the laboratory after him and said that he did not consider it as a donation but as investment in the cause of High Voltage Engineering, which was his chosen field.

Dr. Varshney pointed out that the renovated and expanded laboratory has come up at a time when the status of the Engineering College is being raised to the level of IITs.

Prof. Ahtisham Nizami, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology said that the contribution of Professor Varshney is a living testimony to Aligarh Movement.

"It is this bondage which connects our alumni spread over the globe from California to Malaysia", he added.

He hoped that the efforts of the present Vice Chancellor, Prof. P K Abdul Azis, in organizing a World Summit of AMU Alumni on Sir Syed Day, will provide new dimensions in strengthening and reactivating the Aligarh Movement.

He said, "This is need of the hour, as India has entered in a new phase of Multi-National Cooperation."

On the occasion, Professor Ikram Husain, Incharge of High Voltage Laboratory and Ex-Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Iqbal A. Khan, Coordinator, CCF Unit and Prof. Prabhat Kumar, Chairman, Department of Electrical Engineering also addressed the inaugural function.